Is There Any Such Thing as an ‘Antidepressant?’ Critics say ‘No’

Posted on July 20, 2012March 4, 2017 by L. Taylor

Millions of Americans take antidepressants to cope with clinical depression, Bipolar Disorder and similar conditions, and some even take these drugs just to cope with general sadness, but are antidepressants really all that they’re cracked up to be? Some critics are saying “No,” and even going so far as to argue that there’s no such thing as an “antidepressant.”

A new article published by Slate takes popular medications like Prozac and Zoloft to task. The article quotes clinical psychologist Bruce Levine, who argues, “Should a drug that produces sexual dysfunction for the majority of users and which doubles the risk of suicide attempt be labeled an antidepressant?” It’s a fact that antidepressants have been known to increase certain people’s suicide risk, besides carrying a wealth of other side effects.

Levine argues that the term “antidepressant” is more a marketing ploy than anything else. After all, more people experience diminished sex drive than are relieved of depression symptoms. By this logic, one could theoretically argue that some people’s reduced depression is just a possible side effect, and not a cure-all.

Antidepressants remain controversial because, quite often, they just don’t work. Doctors must constantly adjust dosage levels and experiment with different antidepressant cocktails in the hopes of finding just the right balance for their individual patients, and sometimes the patients are left feeling worse off than when they started. Anyone considering the use of antidepressants should consider the matter very carefully and use extreme caution.

Perhaps most disturbingly, Levine cites one study in the article involving teenagers and Prozac. In the placebo group, 2 percent of teenagers committed suicide, while in the group that received the drug, 4 percent of teenagers committed suicide. So the teenagers without Prozac actually fared much better than the teens taking the so-called antidepressant.

If you have suffered as a result of antidepressant use, or if someone you love has died as a result of suicide while taking antidepressants, you may be entitled to compensation. The right personal injury attorney can help you to win the recovery you deserve for your pain and suffering, but it’s important that you act quickly.

The personal injury lawyers at Nadrich & Cohen have been helping people just like you for years, and we have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients. Give us a call at 1-800-718-4658 to discuss your case. Your consultation is free and confidential, and if we don’t win you any money, you don’t owe us a penny. Call us now.

Why Choose Us?

Latest Law Post

Several drugs containing Valsartan have been recalled in the U.S. because they contain impurities which may be cancer risks. You may be eligible for financial compensation if you took a drug containing Valsartan and have been diagnosed with cancer.

A United States House of Representatives subcommittee, on March 12th, 2019, looked into whether they should give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the power to more strictly regulate cosmetics, including talcum powder and products containing talc.

Nadrich & Cohen, LLP wants everybody to be able to use its website. We're improving our website's usability and accessibility so they're in compliance with guidelines and standards. Please contact us at info@personalinjurylawcal.com if you have any difficulties using Nadrich & Cohen, LLP's website.

Nadrich & Cohen, LLP wants everybody to be able to use its website. We're improving our website's usability and accessibility so they're in compliance with guidelines and standards. Please contact us at info@personalinjurylawcal.com if you have any difficulties using Nadrich & Cohen, LLP's website.